Mark:

Your problem may be something else entirely, like the thermo-time switch or
cold start valve going bad.  But, to check the fuel pressure, you need a
fuel pressure gauge, which you can cobble together for $10-$15 by using
parts from the hardware store.  Attach the fuel pressure gauge to the fuel
rail at the testing port, and fire up the car.  The gauge should indicate
the proper pressure (I've forgotten it exactly, but it's in the manuals and
is right around 30 lbs.) and should hold at least some pressure after the
engine is turned off for 20 minutes or so.  If the pressure drops to 0 right
after you turn off the engine then you need to determine if the pressure
regulator is bad or if the check valve in the fuel pump is at fault.  Pad
the jaws of a pair of vice grips and slide under the car.  Have someone
start up the engine, position your vice grips around the fuel return line
and have them turn off the engine.  Immediately clamp the fuel return line.
If the pressure is now holding then the pressure regulator is bad.  If the
pressure doesn't hold that indicates the check valve in the fuel pump is
bad, which you can confirm by performing the same test on the other side of
the car.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Tom Young
Lafayette, CA 94549
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Sheflo" <skjeflo@ATTBI.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, September 08, 2002 1:28 PM
Subject: Fuel pressure

> Our 82 Westy has an interesting phenomenon happening.  History has been
jump
> in, turn the key and off I go.  Recently it has become jump in for the
first
> start of the day and crank for up to 20 seconds before the engine wants to
> fire.  After that first start it fires right away, as long as it hasn't
sat
> for more than a couple of hours.  So, I believe my problem to be either
the
> fuel pump or the pressure regulator allowing a slow loss of pressure over
> time. My question is how can I test to fine out which it is? Any help
would
> be appreciated!